The summer program is a special intensive Spanish language and culture program offered at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. 

View photos from Spring 2006.

Universidad La Salle is a private, Christian Brother school established in 1962 with branch campuses throughout Mexico (Cancun, Guadalajara, Cuernavaca, Morelia, Pachuca, Cd. and Obregon) with a student enrollment of approximately 11,000. It is among Mexico’s most innovative, private universities, noted for the beauty of its campus and facilities and its traditional values and community spirit.

The Center for International Education, La Salle (CIEL) is located across from the main campus in a lovely, historic residence, known as the Casa Rosa.  It is the hub for international activity at the university.  The "Quinto Patio", located behind the Casa Rosa, offers a comfortable setting for international visitors to become integrated in the university environment.

45 hours of Spanish (Communicative, Small Groups)

10 hours of Conversational Spanish (Private Tutorial)

20 hours of Mexican History and Culture

45 hours of first-rate field trips, including:

• Pyramids of Teotihuacan and Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe
• Historic Downtown Center – Cathedral, Templo Mayor and National Palace
• Colonial Coyoacan and Frida Kahlo Museum
• Floating Gardens of Xochimilco and Dolores Olmedo Museum
• Museum of Anthropology/Chapultepec Castle
• Cuernavaca and ruins of Xochicalco-overnight trip
• Colonial city of Puebla and pyramid of Cholula – overnight trip
• Turibus

Approximately 6 credits are earned.

To be eligible, you must have completed at least two semesters of Spanish or the equivalent, be a second semester sophomore, and have at least a 2.0 GPA, preferably a 2.5 GPA.

Submit a Universidad La Salle application and required items to the Study Abroad Office.

Submit Saint Mary's required paperwork to the Study Abroad Office along with 3 references completed by 1) Your Academic Advisor 2) Other Faculty Member (not in "Major" dept.) 3) Current Hall Director or Dean of Students.  Saint Mary's students must also complete the course substitution form.

Acceptance is contingent on a thorough review of the your application and subsequent approval from Universidad La Salle.

After acceptance, complete the following required items.

1.  Obtain a passport.  Submit a copy of the first page to the Study Abroad Office.

2.  Attend all orientation sessions.

3.  Arrange travel plans.  Submit a copy of your flight itinerary to the Study Abroad Office.

4.  Purchase the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) for $22 in the Study Abroad Office.

5.  Review your health information provided to you.

Location

Mexico is a country located in North America and is bordered at the north by the United States and at the south by Guatemala and Belize in Central America.  It is the northernmost and westernmost country in Latin America.  It is also the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world.

Mexico City is the capital and largest city of Mexico.  It is one of the largest cities in the world with a population of 24 million.  It is located in the Valley of Mexico, a large valley in the high plateaus at the center of Mexico, about 7349 feet above sea-level.  It is surrounded on most sides by volcanoes towering 13,000 to 18,000 feet above sea-level.

Climate

The average temperature is 60 °F to 70 °F.  However, it still gets chilly in rainy weather and in the evening. 

Time

Central Standard Time is in effect in Mexico City.

Currency

Mexican currency consists of pesos ($) and centavos (¢).  100¢ = $1.  Notes are issued for $20, $50, $100, $200 and $500 and coins for 5¢, 10¢, 20¢, $1 and $5.  For the current exchange rate, click here. 

More Information

All About Mexico City 
Consulate General of Mexico in Chicago 
Embassy of the United States Mexico 
Facts About Mexico 
Mexico City Guide 
Mexico City Metro 
Mexico City Virtual Guide 
Secretaría de Turismo 
US Department of State Consular Information Sheet Mexico